Here’s the menu for my family for the week of November 5th. I cannot believe that I typed ‘November’ as the month. Wow! I have been insanely finishing a book – if my week goes as planned, I’ll finish Monday or Wednesday this week and will hand it over to my editor. I’m anxious to finish it, because I’m anxious to start the next book. I doubt I’ll even take a day off as this book is flooding my mind and interfering with everything as I mentally work through the story.

Despite all that, my family still has to eat – HA! That has been a big challenge for me as I have spent the last two months turning my writing life into a full time focus — how to do that and keep up with real food. I’ve done it, and I’ll say that the only way I’ve been able to do it is through planning. Meal planning and sticking to the plan keep me sane.

So, this week is volleyball banquet, superhero party, and Veterans’ Day all rolled into one! As far as desserts go, I made some Oatmeal Cinnamon Chip Raisin Cookies and sent some to a friend’s car dealership. That Sunday at church, I was bombarded by his employees asking me to send more cookies. I plan to do that this week, as well as make some Super Hero Sugar Cookies for our church’s Super Hero Party the boys will be attending Friday night. I also have a photo shoot for my author promotions and book covers this Saturday, so the menu Saturday night may be changed to read “dinner out with my handsome veteran husband” instead of something I cook.

Lastly, don’t forget that Topaz Heat is on sale this month for just 99 cents!

Here’s the menu for my family for the week of April 30th. As far as desserts go, since Kentucky Derby AND Cinco de Mayo fall on the same day, this week I’m going to make a Derby Pie and Tres Leches Cake.

While you’re here, be sure to enter to win this amazing bracelet by Cathy’s Creations and an autographed copy of my second novel, Emerald Fire, Book 2 of the Jewel Trilogy. You can enter here. The contest ends at 5PM EST on May 5th — Derby Day/Cinco de Mayo!

Here’s the menu for my family for the week of April 2nd. This is Spring Break at our house, as well as Passover week and Easter week, so it’s a big “food” week. My husband, Gregg, is home for the first part of the week, and all of my kids are home, so we’re looking forward to an exciting, family-filled week! As far as desserts go, I am going to fill the cookie jar with Doodleroo’s Snickerdoodles We’re having a big pasta making party Tuesday, so I may make a Mascarpone Cheesecake with Vanilla Almond Crust to go with the pasta. We will also be making Resurrection Cookies on Saturday night.

Here’s the menu for my family for the week of March 26th. As far as desserts go, I think we’re going to make some peanut butter cookies this afternoon, and maybe a chocolate cream pie in the middle of the week.
Today is also the day I release my novel — Book 1 of the Jewel Trilogy, Sapphire Ice! You can read more about it here.

Here’s the menu for my family for the week of March 12th. Tuesday is my daughter’s 15th birthday. She’s requested Floating Hearts in Raspberry Sauce for her birthday dessert. I will probably also make some Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies.

My local Kroger recently had free range organic whole turkeys for $0.49 per pound (as opposed to $2.99 per pound.) We bought several of them, and I will be breaking a turkey down this week to see how many meals I can get out of it.

Here’s the menu for my family for the week of February 20th. As far as desserts go, I intended to make a fresh cherry pie in honor of Presidents’ Day, but I have a certain 5-year-old who recently learned how to use a cherry pitter, and who found the bag of cherries. So, that’s out. I may still make a Cherry Pie and serve it when we have company coming for dinner on Tuesday.

Gregg and I are also taking a little weekend trip alone to celebrate my 40th birthday (which isn’t until next week). We’ll be leaving Friday evening and not returning until Sunday afternoon.

Here’s the menu for my family for the week of February 13th. As far as desserts go, I made 48 strawberry cupcakes that I will be frosting with buttercream frosting Monday morning and sending half of them off to work with Gregg. I’m also going to make Traditional Sugar Cookies to make a cookie bouquet for a Valentine’s Day gift for Scott’s teacher.

Here’s the menu for my family for the week of January 23rd. As far as desserts go, I made a gluten-free chocolate cake this past week and have one from the same site for a vanilla bean cake. I’m going to give that a go since the family love the chocolate one so much. Recipes will be forthcoming!